Good early morning. Darn dogs were howling before four this morning and I had to get up, of course. The coyotes were howling behind the barn and my two HAD to join the chorus. Never mind. I seem able to manage on less sleep these days.

Finally cleared a major niggle yesterday when I got my worn out windshield wiper blades replaced. It sure will be easier to see driving now that I can see through the windshield when it snows or rains. Such a silly irritation that took only $60 and a run into the garage in Athens - there and back in one hour. I spent more time thinking about it than getting it done.

Not much on the agenda today although I am supposed to do an audit of some books with a guy who lives way the heck down Davis Lock Road. His house is up two steep and icy hills between two lakes and I may have to cancel out. He has a 4-wheel drive and manages OK but I'm not really brave on the icy roads we have around here. I may convince him to bring all his crud here or rebook for next week. (My snow tires are great on snow but ice is another matter.)

So that's my day plus some other niggles around here and lots of dog cuddling. Disney is a bit strange and needy for some reason and may need more attention.

Right now, more coffee.

Ruth, your posts always make me want to come up there and have coffee with you. Soon! I am beyond relieved that you finally got those wipers replaced. I thought you got that taken care of a while ago! I hope Miss Disney is just fine and just wanting some lovin'.

There's snow in our forecast for Saturday, and that's all the talk around here, LOL! Amber and Tyler are making sure their snow saucers are right where they can easily get to them. It probably will turn to rain, but still. I'm just thankful it's coming on a weekend where I won't be stuck having to drive on back roads.

There's nothing exciting going on in my world today, but it IS my FRIDAY, and worth mentioning!

Linda, you know how much I'd love to see you here right now. Yes, I have been procrastinating on the wiper change - I knew about it last winter but finally got off my butt and just did it!

Good morning chicks!

Ruth - How bout you pull something out of the freezer, and bribe the audit guy to come over! (Hopefully you'll convince him somehow!)

Cottage - don't want snow tomorrow! It's the big day for my hubbie's bday present...it's his 50th....and I don't think it will happen if the forecast stays that way (he's going to fly a plane!!!)

I lost 4 lbs water weight in 2 days!! (told you the scale was scary high the other day, in part from a really salty dinner) That's always great to have me more motivated to keep eating well.

I'll get the kids on the bus in an hour, run to the store to get some stuff for Saturday, then off to work for a full day.

Hey all,
Still in the throes of TOM so I'm not changing my ticker today. I'll try again tomorrow for it. Getting my hair cut today, so that should make the scale go down an ounce or so HA HA. I've resolved to take better care of my 'appearance.' I'm not a slob, but it's easy to let things go a little bit in the winter. The scariest element for me is my toenails, because I don't get a pedicure in the winter. That could be a project for this weekend.

Today is one of the days I leave early to pick up my son, but another Mom and I have talked about having alternating playdates on Thursdays, and today is the first day so I don't have to pick my son up until 5pm (which is how I can actually manage the haircut.) So that's on the agenda, and then tonight bill paying with my husband. I did my filing last night.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Happy Friday! I wish! It's been a long week.

Ruth, Do you have a Walmart close? I've figured out that with a big smile and a little cleavage, the guys in the auto center will put those windshield wipers on for free.

Linda, Auston has already informed me that he wants a sled this year. I told him that when they predict snow, I'll get him a sled. The local ACE Hardware has a few in their window.

Tammy, Happy Birthday, Hubby! Jeff has always wanted to fly a helicopter. Maybe for his 50th in two years... Great idea!

Mathilda, I don't shave my legs in the winter often enough. I need shorts for motivation!

Yesterday was a very busy, emotionally hard day at the office. Today, we have a forensic interview with a 12 year old girl with cerebral palsy. I either need a vacation day or a bottle of wine.

On a funny note, my new director LOVES finding me in grammatical errors. It rarely happens, but I tend to get my 'brings and takes' mixed up. Yesterday, he put a form that he wants to give our clients on my desk. One of the lines said, "Medications took today_______" I danced my happy butt back to his office.

On another happy note: I got a new stainless steel refrigerator yesterday. It's lovely and BIG!

Good morning everyone....

My scale is not moving. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
I really didn't lose last week and I'm not losing this week.

I'm not giving up, but man is that frustrating!
Should I drop my 1 fruit or grain?

Matilda - I'm with ya. I just don't put much care into my appearance (not a slob though) and I never have.

Chelby - LOL!! ("a little cleavage" comment...) Congrats on the new fridge!

lees3rwe - it's always a bit disappointing going to phase II, and you don't lose the 3-5 lbs a week anymore. Phase II you typically lose 1-2 lbs/week (and sometimes none!!). It's just a slow steady process. I'm trying to remember...I lost 15 lbs in almost 4 months...so about 1 lb/week. But it's very healthy weight loss!!

Good Morning

It's always helpful to be reminded what day it is. I work on company books again this morning but first Bing is going to get a bath. Shhhh....I haven't told him yet. Foodwise, I've been doing great. I love it when I'm in the groove and it doesn't seem too challenging.

Jenne, love your hair!

everyone else!

Have a great day!

Good morning

Ruth - Hooray for new wiper blades. I tend to put those off too long too. Hope you don't need to make that drive today.

Cottage - I'll have to go check our forecast. We have just a little layer of snow but it's kind of pretty. I actually worry about the perennials when it gets really cold and there's no snow cover.

Twynn - hope the weather holds for the big birthday surprise

Matilda - Sounds like you need a pampering day

Chel - I vote for a vacation day and a bottle of wine

lees

Debbie - I need to channel you again. I've been resorting to stress eating, nothing off plan but way too much high fat foods. Time to make my plan for the day.
Hope Bing's bath went without a hitch.

More of the same today, I've got two lists running - work and home - and both are long. Better get to it. First a good breakfast.

Jenn - Cute!!!

Ruth - I admit that I rely on my DH for the car stuff. And the yard stuff! And the heavy lifting. And...

Linda - Happy Friday! (I wonder if that will confuse anyone.)

Twynn - A plane! Wow. Congrats on the water woosh.

Matilda - LOL - I always wonder about that during Biggest Loser makeover week.

Chelby - Darn - I always wished for cleavage but now have one more reason to miss it. Enjoy the fridge!

lees - Unfortunately it is pretty common to plateau or slow down. I forget - are you just off PH1 not long ago? If so, give yourself some time. One thing that sometimes works when I plateau is to vary what I eat more than usual. I know we don't count calories, but I might eat less one day then more the next. I think our bodies adjust fast when we "diet."

Debbie - Our dog used to run and hide when she heard the basement bath turned on! And shake in fear. Glad the eating is going so well.

Cyndi - Have a productive list-crossing-off day.

I'm off to yoga again this morning. Hoping that another cold day means another small class, like Tuesday. Might run over to Costco after since it's near. DH usually does our shopping there; he LOVES that store. Might also hit the scrapbook store over the same way. I got 4 more pages done yesterday and am getting ready to work on the spread with photos on college move-in day.

And I tried cauliflower pizza yesterday for the 3rd time. I must do something wrong. I have to scrape it off the pan to eat it. I've tried sprayed foil and parchment and different pans. I might give up.

lees, in answer to your question, no I do not think you should give up your one fruit or grain. Many times your body will be in the physical shrinking mode while you're not seeing movement on the scale. Are you measuring? Continuing OP is the best way to keep making progress. When I started SBD, I committed to SBD for 6 months OP before I made any type of evaluation. At 6 mos. I had lost 30+ pounds and had a new outlook on life. During those 6 months I did have a week (sometimes more) where I did not lose on the scale. Perhaps it would help to write a goal for yourself, which might include your family, that gives you a measure of success even when the scale isn't moving. My desire to eat healthy keeps me on track with less emphasis on the scale. You're doing great!

ETA-a plateau would be when a person has gone multiple weeks without any scale movement while eating very strictly OP. I try to be very careful and not use that word to describe where I am unless I'm pretty sure it's an accurate assessment.

Good morning,

Been so busy at work haven't had time to stop in, still doing great with being op doing Phase 1.5- DH actually complimented me last night and said you are getting smaller everywhere- so he is noticing. I really wanted to step on the scale this morning to see if it moved down but weigh in is not til Saturday and I don't want to start the daily trend so I restraint myself.

Jenn- I will have to go back and look to see your hair since everyone is commenting.

Ruth- I just go to the auto parts store and they always put them on for free- I just play the helpless female part (whatever works hehe)

Cottage- Happy Friday to you, I wish it was Friday here, Mackenzie told me to call in sick today so I would stay home lol

Twynn- that's a great BD idea, hope he gets to do it.

Matilda- I love play dates for that very reason, let's me do things I cannot normally fit in

Chelby- Wheehoo for new fridge you will have to post pictures.

Lees- hanging in there, if you stall for a few weeks as long as you stay on track you should get a swoosh week

Debbie- good for you staying on track- I am loving it right now too very effortless to stay on track

Cyndi- did you get a job? I will have to go back and read what I have missed

Karen- atleast you are trying different things- I refused to eat cauliflower just don't like it no matter how you dress it up.

Have a great day everyone.

Rose - I have a small contract planning conferences for the organization I worked for last year. I've been able to do that from anywhere - home, the hospital, etc. It fit perfectly into our last 6 months.
Great restraint with the scale!

Thanks everyone... I am not giving up!
Quick question... is Wendy's Chili safe for phase 2?
I have a crazy day today and thought this might be a good option, but I don't want to screw anything up.